Body found facedown in Gibson canal

Friday

Apr 29, 2011 at 8:27 PMApr 29, 2011 at 10:34 PM

Eric HeisigStaff Writer

HOUMA — The body of a 24-year-old from Gibson was found Friday afternoon in a canal off La. 20.Jamon Lutcher was found by a passing fisherman facedown in the middle of a canal along La. 20 near U.S. 90, Terrebonne sheriff's deputies said. The cause of death is unknown at this time, and officials are currently treating it as a "suspicious death," said Terrebonne sheriff's Capt. Dawn Foret."Right now we're talking to friends, acquaintances, neighbors, family members and known contacts to see if they can divulge any information," Foret said. "We don't have any particular suspects."Lutcher's autopsy will not be completed until Monday in Jefferson Parish, because investigators want it done by a forensic pathologist, Foret said.Lutcher's family had reported him missing on Thursday, Foret said. At the time of his death, he was wanted by police on warrants for cruelty to animals, aggravated assault and intimidation of a witness, among other charges. He had served prison time for domestic abuse and drug-related offenses, authorities said.Foret said it is unknown if these charges or situation are related to his death and declined to talk about the condition of the body, saying "it's part of the investigation.""Right now, we're just trying to figure out how and why he died," Foret said.A family member, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Lutcher had a 4-month-old baby with the same name. Lutcher was a good father to his child, the family member said."No one deserves to die at such a young age," said the family member. Lutcher's brother, 18-year-old Herchel Lutcher, was murdered in 2009. Herchel was found with multiple gunshot wounds near the corner of West Park Avenue and Prince Collins Street in Houma and later died at the hospital from his injuries.Staff Writer Eric Heisig can be reached at 857-2202 or eric.heisig@houmatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter @TerrebonneCrime.